How to lower your energy use at home

Simple ways to cut electricity and save money.

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One-minute read

Lowering your energy use can be as easy as flicking a switch. With a few small changes and some smart upgrades, you can make your home more efficient, comfortable, and affordable to run and you may even qualify for help to do this.

Start with quick wins. Switch off instead of leaving on standby, wash in cold water, turn off unused lights, swap to LEDs, and run appliances only when full.

Make upgrades that last. Insulate your home, use efficient heating and hot water systems, and if you can, choose appliances with a high energy rating.

Adjust with the seasons. Use curtains and draught-stoppers to stay warm in winter and to stay cool in summer, set your thermostat smartly.

Use power when it’s cheaper. Consider a Time-of-Use plan, giving you off-peak prices during evenings and weekends.

Quick wins you can do today

Start with the easy tasks that pay you back quickly.

Wash in cold water: Modern machines and detergents clean effectively on a cold wash. A cold wash can save around $50 a year (based on four washes/week).
Trim hot water waste: Fit efficient showerheads and fix drips – even small reductions can save up to $80 a year for a family of four.
Run full loads: Use dishwashers and washers on eco modes and only when they’re full.
Avoid standby: Use smart plugs or a power board to switch off TVs, consoles, and chargers when not in use.
Swap to LEDs: LEDs use far less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs. Each swap can save well over the bulb’s cost across its lifetime.

Bigger changes that really pay off

Some upgrades take more planning and investment, but they’ll cut your bills for years to come.

Insulate and stop draughts: Ceiling and underfloor insulation, lined, full-length curtains, and draught-stoppers help keep warmth in. See if your household can get help through Warmer Kiwi Homes grantsExternal Link, opens in a new tab.
Smarter heating: Heat pumps are usually the most cost-effective for living areas, while plug-in electric heaters suit smaller rooms.
Hot water: When it’s time to replace your system, consider a hot water heat pump – efficient and cheaper to run long term.
Efficient appliances: Check energy labels when buying new. A more efficient model often saves more than its upfront cost over its life.

Seasonal adjustments: warm in winter, cool in summer

A few habits to keep comfort high and energy use low.

Keep it healthy: Try to keep your home at least 18 °C. For households with young children, older people or anyone unwell, aim closer to 20 °C to stay comfortable and healthy.
Hold in the heat: In cooler months, close your curtains before dusk, shut doors to rooms you’re not using, and block draughts so warm air doesn’t escape.
Heat smart: Set your heater or heat pump thermostat to around 20–21 °C. Use a timer to warm the room before you need it, and remember to clean heat pump filters so it runs efficiently.
Cool smart: In summer, keep the sun out with curtains or blinds, and let fresh air in during the cooler parts of the day. Fans use far less energy than air conditioning. If you do use a heat pump for cooling, set it to around 20 °C and focus on cooling just one room with doors and windows shut.

Understanding time-of-use

Small changes to when you use power can make a real difference if you’re on a time-of-use plan.

Use timers and smart plugs: Set heaters, towel rails, and hot water (if suitable) to run at off-peak times, or use smart plugs to switch off automatically when not needed.
Shift the load: Dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers can all be run in the evening, overnight, or on weekends when rates are cheapest. Even moving a few cycles each week can add up to real savings.
Charge at night: Wait until off-peak hours to recharge your electric vehicle or other battery-powered devices.